Battery power management in a thermostat with a wireless transceiver

ABSTRACT

A thermostat includes a controller configured to control the thermostat, a power supply sensor connected to the controller for sensing a thermostat power source, a wireless transceiver connected to the controller for receiving control information from a remote device and for transmitting information to the remote device, and a battery level indicator for determining a remaining power capacity of the battery. The controller sets a time schedule for enabling the wireless transceiver when the power supply sensor detects that the thermostat power source is a battery. The time schedule is changed to increase a time period between when the wireless transceiver is enabled as the remaining power capacity of the battery decreases.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to battery power management in athermostat with a wireless transceiver. More specifically (but notexclusively), the present disclosure relates to setting a time schedulefor enabling the wireless transceiver in a thermostat.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

It is known to connect thermostats to wireless transceivers forreceiving and transmitting information to and from remote devices. Knownthermostats with wireless transceivers may be powered via continuous oressentially continuous power. Such continuous power is typically from acommon or neutral connector (often referred to as a C connection orwire) or from power stealing. Power stealing is a known technique wherepower for the thermostat is drawn from or “stolen” from the connectionsto the heating transformer or the cooling transformer, when suchtransformers are not connected to a load. Power stealing essentiallyderives power from a transformer at a current level low enough toprevent the load from being engaged. In such continuous power systems,there is always or almost always sufficient power available that awireless transceiver is continuously enabled or powered to continuouslycommunicate with remote devices and respond to commands from thoseremote devices.

It is also known for thermostats that draw power from power sourcesexternal to the thermostat to include a power supply internal to thethermostat, such as batteries, when external power is not available. Thebattery supply may also include additional power backup, such as acapacitor, to maintain power when both the external and internal powerare unavailable. In such thermostats, it is also known to provide forreduction of energy consumption when the thermostat relies solely on abattery supply and to provide the user with a notice that the batteryenergy level is low. These thermostats, however, typically become fullyoperative when a user engages a user interface (e.g., touch screen,switch, button, etc.) and thus, the thermostat effectively is alwaysavailable to the user to control heating and cooling. If an internallypowered thermostat with a wireless transceiver is to always be availableto a user, the internal power supply life will likely be unacceptablyshort, perhaps only several days.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

Examples are disclosed of a thermostat that includes a controller forcontrolling the thermostat, a power supply sensor connected to thecontroller for sensing a thermostat power source, and a wirelesstransceiver connected to the controller for receiving controlinformation from a remote device and for transmitting information to theremote device. The controller sets a time schedule for enabling thewireless transceiver when the power supply sensor detects that thethermostat power source is a battery.

Examples are also disclosed of a thermostat that includes a controllerfor controlling the thermostat, a battery supplying power for thethermostat and connected to the controller, and a wireless transceiverconnected to the controller for receiving control information from aremote device and for transmitting information to the remote device. Thecontroller sets a default time schedule for enabling the wirelesstransceiver.

Examples are also disclosed of a thermostat system including a remotedevice for sending control information to a thermostat and for receivinginformation from the thermostat, a controller for controlling thethermostat, a battery supplying power for the thermostat and connectedto the controller, and a wireless transceiver connected to thecontroller for receiving the control information from the remote deviceand for transmitting information to the remote device. The controllersets a default time schedule for enabling the wireless transceiver.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example climate control system with anexample thermostat in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2-9 are example displays of a thermostat in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an example remote device in accordance with the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a logic flow of an example synch interval setting inaccordance with the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

As noted above in the background, known thermostats with wirelesstransceivers may be powered via continuous or essentially continuouspower. Such continuous power is typically from a common or neutralconnector (often referred to as a C connection or wire) or from powerstealing. But not all systems have a C wire connection, and it would bean added expense and effort to install such a connection. Similarly, notall systems are compatible with a power stealing circuit. Therefore,there is still a need for an internal battery powered thermostat. Itwould be desirable to provide a battery powered thermostat with awireless transceiver that manages the battery power to prolong a usefullife of the battery compared to a battery powered thermostat thatcontinuously enabled its wireless transceiver. Accordingly, exemplaryembodiments are disclosed herein that relate to battery power managementin a thermostat with a wireless transceiver, such as by setting a timeschedule for enabling the wireless transceiver in a thermostat.

FIG. 1 shows a climate control system 10 with a thermostat 12, to theright of dashed line 14, connected to a heating transformer 16, acooling transformer 18, and a fan 20, to the left of line 14. Thetransformers 16, 18 and fan 20 are a part of a typical climate controlsystem and are connected to components (not shown), such as an airconditioner compressor and a furnace gas valve. A common or neutral Cconnection may or may not be present as indicated by the dashed line anddashed V, shown generally at 22.

In some examples, such as FIG. 1, the thermostat 12 includes acontroller 24 for controlling the thermostat 12, a power supply sensor26 connected to the controller 24 for sensing a thermostat power source(30, 32, or 34), and a wireless transceiver 28 connected to thecontroller 24 for receiving control information from a remote device(described below) and for transmitting information to the remote device.In operation, the controller 24 sets a time schedule for enabling thewireless transceiver 28 when the power supply sensor 26 detects that thethermostat power source is a battery 30.

The power supply sensor 26 may determine whether the power supplied tothe thermostat 12 is at least one of continuous power, power stealingpower, and battery power. Continuous power is supplied to power supplycircuit 36 by common C connection 32, if such connection is available.Power stealing power may be supplied to power supply circuit 36 by powerstealing circuit 34, if C connection 32 is not available and thetransformers 16, 18 are compatible with power stealing circuit 34.Finally, battery power 30 may be supplied to power supply circuit 36, ifand when C connection 32 and power stealing circuit 34 are unavailable.When continuous power or power stealing power is detected, thecontroller 24 may enable the wireless transceiver 28 to continuouslyreceive information from the remote device and transmit information tothe remote device. In some example embodiments, information may bedisplayed on the remote device indicating that the wireless transceiver28 is continuously enabled.

The thermostat 12 may also include a battery level indicator 38 fordetermining a remaining power capacity of the battery 30. The timeschedule may be changed, e.g., automatically by the controller 24, toincrease a time period between when the wireless transceiver 28 isenabled as the remaining power capacity of the battery 30 decreases(described in more detail below).

The time schedule may also be programmable by a user, as describedbelow.

The time schedule may also be transmitted to the remote device anddisplayed on the remote device. The time schedule may be displayed onthe remote device as a time remaining to when the wireless transceiveris enabled. Said another way, the time schedule may be displayed as atime remaining to the next synchronization (sync) event.

The remaining power capacity of the battery 30 may be transmitted to theremote device and displayed on the remote device. The power capacity maybe displayed in any appropriate manner such as in text or as a batteryicon with power level sections or other graphical representations suchas a bar, a pie-chart, or a fuel level gauge.

The thermostat 12 may also include other components or circuitsconnected to the controller 24, beyond those outlined above. Some othercomponents may include a fan control 40, thermostat or temperaturecontrol 42, a back light 44, and a remote sensor 46. Remote sensor 46may sense a remote control (not shown) other than the remote devicereferred to above. For instance, the remote sensor 46 may respond to awhole house remote control system, or a dedicated remote control for thethermostat. Remote sensor 46 may sense control signals other than radiosignals, such as infrared, sound, voice, light, or other signals. Remotesensor 46 may not sense radio signals because wireless transceiver 28serves that purpose. Though, if thermostat 12 is capable of receivingmultiple types or frequencies of radio signals, it may be appropriatefor remote sensor 46 to also be a radio transceiver. For example,wireless transceiver 28 may be for receiving and transmitting Wi-Fi802.11 formatted signals, cellular phone signals, or the like and remotesensor may be for receiving and transmitting ZigBee® formatted signals.

Another example includes thermostat 12, as described above, but withoutcommon C connection 32 and without power stealing circuit 34. In thisexample thermostat 12 only includes battery 30 connected to power supplycircuit 36. The thermostat 12 includes a controller 24 for controllingthe thermostat 12, a battery 30 supplying power for the thermostat 12and connected to the controller 24, a wireless transceiver 28 connectedto the controller 24 for receiving control information from a remotedevice and for transmitting information to the remote device, and wherethe controller 24 sets a default time schedule for enabling the wirelesstransceiver 28. The thermostat 12 with battery only power may alsoinclude the other capabilities described above.

Still another example is a thermostat system including a remote devicefor sending control information to a thermostat 12 and for receivinginformation from the thermostat 12, a controller 24 for controlling thethermostat 12, a battery 30 supplying power for the thermostat 12 andconnected to the controller 24, a wireless transceiver 28 connected tothe controller 24 for receiving the control information from the remotedevice and for transmitting information to the remote device, and wherethe controller 24 sets a default time schedule for enabling the wirelesstransceiver 28.

FIGS. 2-6 show a display 48 of thermostat 12. Display 48 includes thetime schedule described above displayed as a time to the nextsynchronization. In this example, the time schedule is displayed as“NEXT SYNC IN 15 MIN.”, shown generally at 50. The display 48 may alsoinclude an icon of a radio signal, such as shown at 52. The display 48may further include an indication of the power capacity of the battery30, such as the icon 54. The icon 54 shows the battery as fully charged.

The battery power dependent thermostat 12 of FIGS. 2-6 is programmed topower up the wireless transceiver or radio 28 according to apredetermined time schedule of every 15 minutes. The time schedule couldbe some time other than 15 minute intervals between enabling thewireless transceiver 28. The time intervals could be less than orgreater than 15 minutes. The shorter the time period between when thewireless transceiver is enabled the more battery power capacity will beconsumed, requiring the battery 30 to be replaced sooner. The shorterthe time period between when the wireless transceiver is enabled themore often information will be transferred between the thermostat 12 andthe remote device. A longer time period between when the wirelesstransceiver is enabled results in longer battery life but allows thethermostat settings to be changed less often compared to a shorter timeperiod between when the wireless transceiver is enabled.

FIG. 2 shows thermostat 12 powered on for the first time or just at theend of a sync cycle. FIG. 3 indicates two minutes have elapsed and 13minutes remain until the next sync, as shown at 56. FIG. 4 indicates 12minutes have elapsed and 3 minutes remain until the next sync, as shownat 58. FIG. 5 indicates, at 60, that transceiver 28 is enabled andpowered up and is in communication with the remote device or remoteserver. In this example the phrase “NOW SYNCING” is used, though otherphrases or icons could be used. The time period that transceiver 28 isenabled is typically not limited and is determined by the amount of timeneeded for exchanging information with remote devices and servers. Oncethe information exchange is completed the transceiver 28 is powered downand the time to the next sync is reset, as shown in FIG. 6 at 62. Thetime period between when the transceiver is enabled can be displayed inany suitable manner and such as graphical representations rather thanthe text shown.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are examples of a thermostat 12 that includes a batterylevel indicator 38 for determining a remaining power capacity of thebattery 30. In this example, the time schedule is changed, e.g.,automatically, to increase a time period between when the wirelesstransceiver 28 is enabled as the remaining power capacity of the battery30 decreases. FIG. 7, at icon 64, indicates that the battery 30 powercapacity has dropped to a predetermined level, such as to 75% ofmaximum, causing the controller 24 to increase the time to the nextsync, when the transceiver will be enabled, from 15 minutes to 30minutes, as shown at 66. FIG. 8 is an example indicating, at 68, thatthe battery capacity has fallen even further, such as to 50% of maximum,causing the controller 24 to further increase the time to the next syncto 45 minutes, as shown at 70.

FIG. 9 is an example where the thermostat 12 includes at least one ofthe common C connection 32 or the power stealing circuit 34 andindicates that the wireless transceiver 28 is enabled by displaying amessage such as “CONNECTED”, shown at 72.

FIG. 10 is an example of a remote device 74 including an application foruse with the thermostat examples described above. Remote device 74 maybe any of a number of different devices such as the smart mobile phoneshown, a tablet, a computer, a laptop, a remote control, a server or anyother device capable of communicating with the thermostat 12. Thermostat12 may send the time schedule to a remote server (not shown) via a Wi-Ficonnection to the internet and the remote server may then forward thetime schedule to remote device 74 or thermostat 12 may send the timeschedule directly to the remote device 74. The time schedule may then bedisplayed on remote device 74 as shown at 76. The thermostat 12 orserver may also send information such as the actual temperature sensedby thermostat 12, as shown at 78, and the temperature at which thethermostat 12 is set to turn on the heating or cooling equipment, asshown at 80. The remote device may also include soft buttons 82 forincreasing or decreasing the temperature setting shown at 80.

Remote device 74 may also display the mode at which the thermostat 12 isset, such as cooling or heating. The example of FIG. 10, at 84, showsthat thermostat mode is set for cooling.

FIG. 11 is an example of a logic flow enabling a user, through a device,such as remote device 74, to adjust or program the time schedule forenabling the wireless transceiver 28 (the sync interval time). Step 100determines if the user has chosen to program the wireless sync interval.If no, step 102 sets the sync interval to the default time schedule,such as the 15 minutes used in the example above. If, at step 100, theuser chooses to program the sync interval, step 104 prompts the user toinput the sync interval desired. The user may input the sync intervalthrough a numeric keypad displayed or through any other known techniquessuch as gesture recognition, voice recognition, from a list of possibleintervals, or other suitable methods. Step 106 determines if a new syncinterval has been detected. If no, the logic loops back to step 104. Ifyes, step 108 sets the sync interval as detected at step 106.

A logic flow similar to that shown in FIG. 11 could be used to allow auser to program the sync interval increases that may occur as thebattery power capacity decreases.

Accordingly, exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein that relate tobattery power management in a thermostat with a wireless transceiver,such as by setting a time schedule for enabling the wireless transceiverin a thermostat. By way of example only, the time schedule may be thetime between one sync and the next, the time between “now” and the “nextdata transmission—both ways” events, etc. Also by way of example only,at a given sync event, the devices (e.g., remote interfaces andthermostat) will be “informed” when the next sync event will happen, andwill then start counting down and displaying the countdown. In thisexample, a remote interface user will know when the next sync willhappen. Thus, the user will also know when the user's command (e.g.,given by the user on a remote user interface) will be executed and whenthe information displayed on the remote user interface (e.g., currentindoor temperature) will reflect the latest real conditions. By default,it will also let the user know that the user's previous command wasexecuted, thus providing expected feedback/confirmation in this example.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will bethorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled inthe art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples ofspecific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thoroughunderstanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not beemployed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes,well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are notdescribed in detail. In addition, advantages and improvements that maybe achieved with one or more exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure are provided for purpose of illustration only and do notlimit the scope of the present disclosure, as exemplary embodimentsdisclosed herein may provide all or none of the above mentionedadvantages and improvements and still fall within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Specific dimensions, specific materials, and/or specific shapesdisclosed herein are example in nature and do not limit the scope of thepresent disclosure. The disclosure herein of particular values andparticular ranges of values for given parameters are not exclusive ofother values and ranges of values that may be useful in one or more ofthe examples disclosed herein. Moreover, it is envisioned that any twoparticular values for a specific parameter stated herein may define theendpoints of a range of values that may be suitable for the givenparameter (i.e., the disclosure of a first value and a second value fora given parameter can be interpreted as disclosing that any valuebetween the first and second values could also be employed for the givenparameter). For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to havevalue A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned thatparameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z.Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges ofvalues for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping ordistinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value thatmight be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example,if parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may haveother ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3,3-10, and 3-9.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

The term “about” when applied to values indicates that the calculationor the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (withsome approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonablyclose to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecisionprovided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with thisordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at leastvariations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or usingsuch parameters. For example, the terms “generally,” “about,” and“substantially,” may be used herein to mean within manufacturingtolerances. Or, for example, the term “about” as used herein whenmodifying a quantity of an ingredient or reactant of the invention oremployed refers to variation in the numerical quantity that can happenthrough typical measuring and handling procedures used, for example,when making concentrates or solutions in the real world throughinadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in themanufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients employed to make thecompositions or carry out the methods; and the like. The term “about”also encompasses amounts that differ due to different equilibriumconditions for a composition resulting from a particular initialmixture. Whether or not modified by the term “about,” the claims includeequivalents to the quantities.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,”“lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements, intended orstated uses, or features of a particular embodiment are generally notlimited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, areinterchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if notspecifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in manyways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from thedisclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be includedwithin the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A thermostat comprising: a controller configuredto control the thermostat; a thermostat power source including abattery; a battery level indicator configured to determine a remainingpower capacity of the battery; a power supply sensor connected to thecontroller and configured to sense the thermostat power source; awireless transceiver connected to the controller, the transceiver beingconfigured to receive control information from a remote device for thecontroller, the transceiver being further configured to transmitinformation from the controller to the remote device; and wherein thecontroller is configured to set a time schedule for enabling thewireless transceiver when the power supply sensor detects that thethermostat power source is a battery; and wherein the controller isfurther configured to change the time schedule to increase a time periodbetween when the wireless transceiver is enabled as the remaining powercapacity of the battery decreases.
 2. The thermostat of claim 1, whereinthe power supply sensor whether the power supplied to the thermostat isfrom a neutral connector, from power stealing, or from a battery.
 3. Thethermostat of claim 2, wherein when either power from a neutralconnector or power from power stealing is detected, the controllerenables the wireless transceiver to continuously receive informationfrom the remote device and transmit information to the remote device. 4.The thermostat of claim 3, wherein when either power from a neutralconnector or power from power stealing is detected, the thermostatcontroller is configured to transmit to the remote device that thewireless transceiver is continuously enabled.
 5. The thermostat of claim1, wherein the remaining power capacity of the battery is transmitted tothe remote device for display.
 6. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to permit the time schedule to be programmed bya user.
 7. The thermostat of claim 1, wherein the time schedule istransmitted to the remote device for display.
 8. A thermostatcomprising: a controller configured to control the thermostat; a batterysupplying power for the thermostat and connected to the controller; awireless transceiver connected to the controller, the transceiver beingconfigured to receive control information from a remote device for thecontroller, the transceiver being further configured to transmitinformation from the controller to the remote device; and a batterylevel indicator configured to determine a remaining power capacity ofthe battery; and wherein the controller is configured to set a defaulttime schedule for enabling the wireless transceiver; and wherein thecontroller is configured to alter the time schedule such that the timeschedule increases a time period between when the wireless transceiveris enabled as the remaining power capacity of the battery decreases. 9.The thermostat of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to usethe transceiver to transmit the remaining power capacity of the batteryto the remote device.
 10. The thermostat of claim 8, wherein thecontroller is further configured to permit the time schedule to beprogrammed by a user.
 11. The thermostat of claim 8, wherein thecontroller is further configured to transmit the time schedule to theremote device for display.
 12. A thermostat system comprising: athermostat; a remote device configured to send control information tothe thermostat and configured to receive information from thethermostat; a controller configured to control the thermostat; a batterysupplying power for the thermostat and connected to the controller; awireless transceiver connected to the controller, the transceiver beingconfigured to receive control information from the remote device for thecontroller, the transceiver being further configured to transmitinformation from the controller to the remote device; and a batterylevel indicator configured to determine a remaining power capacity ofthe battery; wherein the controller is configured to set a default timeschedule for enabling the wireless transceiver; and wherein thecontroller is configured to alter the time schedule such that the timeschedule increases a time period between when the wireless transceiveris enabled as the remaining power capacity of the battery decreases. 13.The thermostat system of claim 12, wherein the controller is configuredto use the transceiver to transmit the remaining power capacity of thebattery to the remote device, and the remote device is configured todisplay the remaining power capacity of the battery.
 14. The thermostatsystem of claim 12, wherein the controller and the remote device arefurther configured to permit the time schedule to be programmed by auser through the remote device.
 15. The thermostat system of claim 12,wherein the controller is configured to transmit the time schedule tothe remote device through the transceiver, and the remote device isconfigured to display the time schedule as time remaining to when thewireless transceiver is enabled.